North Dakota Joins Eight other States

[Steve D]

Authorizing constitutional  carry  along with (Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming)

Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 10:00pm

BISMARCK, N.D. – Governor Doug Burgum today signed legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun if they have possessed a valid North Dakota driver’s license or state ID card for at least a year.

The “constitutional carry” authority provided under House Bill 1169 applies only within North Dakota’s borders. Those wanting concealed carry reciprocity with other states must apply for a Class 1 or Class 2 North Dakota concealed weapon license, for which the requirements remain unchanged.

Current law only requires an applicant for a Class 2 license to complete an open-book test, at a cost of up to $50, and undergo a criminal history records check.  Class 1 licenses require firearms training and additional requirements. Both licenses carry a $60 application fee.

Under HB 1169, anyone who is eligible to possess a Class 2 firearm license and has had a valid driver’s license or state ID card for at least a year may carry a concealed firearm. Law enforcement officials recommended the state ID language, as well as the bill’s requirement that anyone carrying a concealed weapon inform law enforcement of the weapon during a traffic stop or other contact.

Someone who has been convicted of a felony or crime of violence will still be precluded from carrying a handgun under this new law. Individuals who initiate the purchase of a handgun from a federally licensed dealer are still required to undergo a federal background check, which runs their name and descriptive information through three national databases.

“North Dakota has a rich heritage of hunting and a culture of deep respect for firearm safety. As a hunter and gun owner myself, I strongly support gun rights for law-abiding citizens,” Burgum said. “House Bill 1169 allows citizens to exercise their Second Amendment right under the U.S. Constitution. It also is consistent with the North Dakota Constitution, which declares in Article I that all individuals have the inalienable right ‘to keep and bear arms for the defense of their person, family, property, and the state, and for lawful hunting, recreational, and other lawful purposes, which shall not be infringed.’ ”

At the same time, Burgum – who has a Class 1 concealed weapons license that requires applicants to demonstrate firearms proficiency – noted that neither the existing Class 2 requirements nor HB 1169 have a firearms training component. He encouraged anyone considering carrying a concealed weapon to enroll in one of North Dakota’s many certified gun safety courses.

“Gun ownership is both a right and a responsibility, and that responsibility begins with individuals and families,” Burgum said.

No law enforcement agencies or groups testified against HB 1169. A representative of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association testified the bill is more enforceable because of the provision restricting it only to North Dakota residents and the requirement that those carrying a concealed weapon must inform a peace officer upon contact.

“I ask legislators and law enforcement officials to closely monitor this new law with a continual focus on public safety,” Burgum said.

The bill does not change the places designated in law as off-limits to conceal carry, including schools and publicly owned or operated buildings.

House Bill 1169, which passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support, takes effect Aug. 1, 2017.

More information about concealed weapon licenses is available on the North Dakota Attorney General’s website at https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/public-safety/concealed-weapons-licenses/obtaining-north-dakota-concealed-weapon-license/eligibility.

Copyright © 2016 Office of Governor, State of North Dakota
600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0100
Phone: 701.328.2200 Fax: 701.328.2205

https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/burgum-signs-“constitutional-carry”-bill-law

[philoshop]

Common sense could make the world go 'round, if there was just a bit more of it. Kudos to North Dakota.

[Steve D]

28 minutes ago, philoshop said:

Common sense could make the world go 'round

My neighbor just sold his house and moved there last fall. They moved because of the NYS gun laws and taxes.

As soon as they found work off they went . Says he doesn't regret it a bit.

[DirtTime]

Personally, I feel "Constitutional Carry" should  be legal in every state. The same way I feel bans on what the "public deems as assault rifles" shroud be reversed. I have no issues with BG checks ( is that unconstitutional , maybe, but known felons or those who are known to have ties to terrorist organizations should not be allowed to own any firearm ).

I feel that if you can pass the basic NICS evaluation for a long gun, then you should be allowed the same privilege to own a hand gun. All these BS gun laws we have in the USA are set to stop people from defending their homes and families, and allow criminals to do what ever they want.

Kudos to ND for stepping up in a time where we need to be able to defend ourselves! 

[philoshop]

37 minutes ago, Steve D said:

My neighbor just sold his house and moved there last fall. They moved because of the NYS gun laws and taxes.

As soon as they found work off they went . Says he doesn't regret it a bit.

It's obviously not that easy for most people. I resent the fact that I even have to think about it and consider it. Why am I less free and less able to enjoy basics liberties because I was born in one specific part of the country?

[Steve D]

11 hours ago, philoshop said:

It's obviously not that easy for most people

Wasn't that easy for them either with two young kids and both of their families here. He had a collection of AR's and was afraid to go out and shoot them because like many others he didn't register them under the safe act.

Being a fairly young couple they  couldn't keep up with the constant tax increases. She was able to land a good job and they found a house to rent twice the size of theirs here to rent for 1/2 of what they were paying here. There house here sold fairly quickly so now they are money ahead and enjoying their life in a new place.

[DirtTime]

There was something on the news the other morning about how far more people are leaving NYS then coming here. If you look up the reasons they are slightly varies, but mainly cost-of-living and taxes. I think it has a lot to do with the completely bias ( crooked ) politicians we have running our state. We have more BS laws about guns then just about any other state, CA and IL being higher then us, I think that's about it.

Glad SD went Constitutional Carry. Just another state enacting what the Constitution states.